Would I be able to run an R9 290 with my current PSU?

Xexoxix · Jan 19, 2014

I have an AMD FX-8350 (no OC), MSI 970A-G46, 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600 RAM, Fractal Design Define R2 XL, HIS IceQ X Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit (OC'd to 1000mhz core clock, 1400mhz memory clock, all stock voltages), SeaSonic M12II 620W PSU, regular ASUS DVD burner, Hyper 212 EVO, WD 1TB Caviar Blue 64MB cache 7200RPM. I was looking at this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HPS4AFG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2G7ATJ6IDBOYA&coliid=I3DUTX0V6V4AV6

because it has a non-reference cooler, and I want my system to be as cool as possible. I have 2 1440x900 monitors, so yeah. Is this the best upgrade from a 7850? Would that graphics card fit in my case? Would a 280x be better? I think those are carrying a high price premium because of litecoin miners. Thanks for any input!

jay2577 · Jan 19, 2014

You might be able to get away with an AMD 290 but to be safe i would get the 280x if you don't want to buy a new power supply. The 280x is a powerful and good card.

Icemice · Jan 19, 2014

Yes, you will be able to run it.

Yes, it will fit.

No, a R9 290 is more "future reliabe".

Great choice of PSU, the Seasonic is simply the best and everyone would recommend it.

Some sites to help you out more:

- Game-Debate
- Futuremark.com
- pcpartpicker.com

I would also look at the GTX 770 as it's cheaper and the best in Performance/Price value. (see Futuremark.com and Game-Debate)

Hope it helped, if so don't forget to choose as Best Answer.

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

Hey

Your 290 consumpts 250W + 30 due to OC.
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r9_290_review_benchmarks,10.html

I don't think that 620W bronze PSU will handle a very hungry CPU and graphics card. However it would be very edgy and you can expect some crashes.

280x costs less and has a bit lower consumptions aaand performance. It would handle 2x 1440x900 monitors due to 3GB DDR5 and you can play all games on max on them... I would get this one and buy a more powerfull PSU, at least 650W Gold +

Your case can fit up to 330mm graphics card :
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-xl-r2-black-pearl

r9 290 has 290mm* :

geofelt · Jan 19, 2014

Your strongest upgrade would be a GTX780ti.

Your Seasonic psu is an excellent one, and has more peak capability than advertised.
You should be able to run the R9-290.

Actually, I think a GTX780 would be fine for gaming on a single 2560 x 1440 monitor. The addition of a side monitor adds nothing to the load.

The R9 cards are highly overclocked. They run hotter, noisier, and take more power.

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

geofelt :

such comment, much right..

Xexoxix · Jan 19, 2014

jay2577 :

geofelt :

So I'm fine? Would I get some crashes, stuff like that? I heard some people say 620 isn't enough.

Icemice · Jan 19, 2014

Game-Debate.com

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

Xexoxix :

Motherboard - 75W
290 - 250W
CPU - 125W
rest - 50W

Total = 500W

Add 30% ( cuz of PSU's efficiency ) from the total consumption = 650W
It will be egdy, but ask yourself.
Is it worth getting super end components at risk that they won't work?

People have different opinion but I would just not risk it, that's my personal opinion

Xexoxix · Jan 19, 2014

RulesSpew :

Xexoxix :

Motherboard - 75W
290 - 250W
CPU - 125W
rest - 50W

Total = 500W

Add 30% ( cuz of PSU's efficiency ) from the total consumption = 650W
It will be egdy, but ask yourself.
Is it worth getting super end components at risk that they won't work?

People have different opinion but I would just not risk it that's my personal thought

What do you think the best upgrade would be?

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

Xexoxix :

RulesSpew :

Xexoxix :

Motherboard - 75W
290 - 250W
CPU - 125W
rest - 50W

Total = 500W

Add 30% ( cuz of PSU's efficiency ) from the total consumption = 650W
It will be egdy, but ask yourself.
Is it worth getting super end components at risk that they won't work?

People have different opinion but I would just not risk it that's my personal thought

What do you think the best upgrade would be?

A weaker GPU
( GTX 770 / 280x )

If you want that r9 290, get a more powerfull PSU

( 650W GOLD+ minimum )

geofelt · Jan 19, 2014

A GTX780 or GTX780ti need a 6 pin and a 8 pin psu power connector to supply sufficient power.
Your 620 psu has both.
Seasonic is about the best maker out there, and if they supply both leads, you can be assured that they can deliver sufficient power to them.
A 6 pin can deliver 75w, a 8 pin can deliver 150w max. The pcie slot can deliver 75w.
That totals 300w for the graphics card.
150w will run most everything else.

I have no problem with overprovisioning when buying a new psu.
It will tend to run more efficiently and quieter.
But, in this case, you already have a very good unit.
I would expect at most increased fan noise.

You are good.

jay2577 · Jan 19, 2014

I think the best upgrade would be an AMD 280x or an Nvidia GTX770.
They are both good and powerful cards and you just need to ask yourself what features you want more. Mantle support for the 280x or Physx support for the GTX770.

Xexoxix · Jan 19, 2014

RulesSpew :

Xexoxix :

A weaker GPU
( GTX 770 / 280x )

If you want that r9 290, get a more powerfull PSU

( 650W GOLD+ minimum )

Okay, thanks. I think I will go with this 770 (unless 280x's become more available):
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GDDR5-4GB-WINDFORCE-Graphics-GV-N770OC-4GD/dp/B00CU9GOAO/ref=cm_cd_ql_qh_dp_t

Icemice · Jan 19, 2014

Yeah a R9 290 needs more W than a GTX 770.

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

geofelt :

Ah..
*CPU consumption 220W on stress =
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/11/06/amd-fx-8350-review/7

+ Motherboard / HDD
270W+?

*updated

geofelt · Jan 19, 2014

You linked to a 4gb GTX770.
The price premium of 4gb may not be worth it.
Read this:
http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Video-Card-Performance-2GB-vs-4GB-Memory-154/

Icemice · Jan 19, 2014

What's the difference in gaming performance between a 2gb GTX 770 and the 4gb version?

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

Get 770 HAWK or MSI 770, both very oced and smexy looking card.
2 GB DDR5 is sufficient.

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

Icemice :

None on 1920x1080 resolution
On higher, the 4GB DDR5 will win

geofelt · Jan 19, 2014

RulesSpew :

Nice link.
The test system used a GTX690 which requires 2 8 pin psu connectors.
Even with that, and a high overclock, the OP would be nowhere near the limits of the psu even assuming abysmal efficiency.

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

geofelt :

RulesSpew :

Nice link.
The test system used a GTX690 which requires 2 8 pin psu connectors.
Even with that, and a high overclock, the OP would be nowhere near the limits of the psu even assuming abysmal efficiency.

Thanks mate
Oh, how about an 770 with 2x 8 pin connectors and 20W+ more consumption?
Well, it's easy to say that the PSU will work if it's not your build lol

Xexoxix · Jan 19, 2014

geofelt :

RulesSpew :

Nice link.
The test system used a GTX690 which requires 2 8 pin psu connectors.
Even with that, and a high overclock, the OP would be nowhere near the limits of the psu even assuming abysmal efficiency.

Dang, you're right. I saw that link before RulesSpew posted it and thought "I didn't know my CPU drew that much power." Now I know they tested it with a 690 (probably one of the most power hungry cards?). Thanks. I think I will be purchasing the R9 290.
Maybe. Still not sure.

Xexoxix · Jan 19, 2014

geofelt :

RulesSpew :

Nice link.
The test system used a GTX690 which requires 2 8 pin psu connectors.
Even with that, and a high overclock, the OP would be nowhere near the limits of the psu even assuming abysmal efficiency.

Wait where does it say it is running a GTX690?
EDIT i found it, nevermind.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/11/06/amd-fx-8350-review/2

RulesSpew · Jan 19, 2014

The 290 consumpts the same lol, 300w just like 690

Would I be able to run an R9 290 with my current PSU?

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